Yahoo! Games

Matthew Pouliot

Strike Zone

August Catcher Rankings

Up this week are the August rankings. Players are ranked based on how I believe they will perform in 5x5 leagues over the remainder of the season. Along with the position rankings, you'll find a fully updated top 250 list.

So, I finally drank the Avila Kool-Aid and he goes and drives in one run all month. 18 RBI in April, 11 RBI in May, 17 RBI in June, 1 RBI in July.

Yankees prospect Jesus Montero has been a disappointment in Triple-A, but it looks like a strong July will get him to the majors within the next week to 10 days. He hit .271/.346/.514 with four homers and 21 RBI for Scranton in 18 games last month. Over the first three months, he had just six homers and 27 RBI total. Most of his success has come against lefties -- he has a .918 OPS versus southpaws, compared to a .716 mark against right-handers -- so it's doubtful that he'll be a full-timer for the Bombers. He'll probably DH against lefties initially and take on an expanded role if he outhits Posada. Because he stands to lose some at-bats, Posada tumbles six spots in the rankings.

Not one catcher was involved in a deadline deal. Ivan Rodriguez still could be moved this month, but he doesn't belong in the top 40 as the backup to Ramos. Shoppach might be another possibility for an August deal, allowing the Rays to keep Robinson Chirinos around after Jaso returns. Hernandez's value might have gotten a bit of a boost with a trade out of Cincinnati, but since it's doubtful that he'll clear waivers, he's expected to stay put for the rest of the season.

Because of the lack of trades, Montero is the only young catcher to debut this month. Chirinos is interesting, but as things stand now, he could be sent back to the minors when Jaso comes off the DL. The Reds' Devin Mesoraco appears set to remain in Triple-A until September and probably won't get a lot of playing time then. I did think about including Tyler Flowers, who debuted as a result of Ramon Castro's injury. However, the White Sox don't currently appear interested in carving out an enhanced role for him at Pierzynski's expense. Maybe that will change if they fall out of contention.

Up this week are the August rankings. Players are ranked based on how I believe they will perform in 5x5 leagues over the remainder of the season. Along with the position rankings, you'll find a fully updated top 250 list.

So, I finally drank the Avila Kool-Aid and he goes and drives in one run all month. 18 RBI in April, 11 RBI in May, 17 RBI in June, 1 RBI in July.

Yankees prospect Jesus Montero has been a disappointment in Triple-A, but it looks like a strong July will get him to the majors within the next week to 10 days. He hit .271/.346/.514 with four homers and 21 RBI for Scranton in 18 games last month. Over the first three months, he had just six homers and 27 RBI total. Most of his success has come against lefties -- he has a .918 OPS versus southpaws, compared to a .716 mark against right-handers -- so it's doubtful that he'll be a full-timer for the Bombers. He'll probably DH against lefties initially and take on an expanded role if he outhits Posada. Because he stands to lose some at-bats, Posada tumbles six spots in the rankings.

Not one catcher was involved in a deadline deal. Ivan Rodriguez still could be moved this month, but he doesn't belong in the top 40 as the backup to Ramos. Shoppach might be another possibility for an August deal, allowing the Rays to keep Robinson Chirinos around after Jaso returns. Hernandez's value might have gotten a bit of a boost with a trade out of Cincinnati, but since it's doubtful that he'll clear waivers, he's expected to stay put for the rest of the season.

Because of the lack of trades, Montero is the only young catcher to debut this month. Chirinos is interesting, but as things stand now, he could be sent back to the minors when Jaso comes off the DL. The Reds' Devin Mesoraco appears set to remain in Triple-A until September and probably won't get a lot of playing time then. I did think about including Tyler Flowers, who debuted as a result of Ramon Castro's injury. However, the White Sox don't currently appear interested in carving out an enhanced role for him at Pierzynski's expense. Maybe that will change if they fall out of contention.